This site is dedicated to former patients of Dr. Brian R. West who have suffered personal injuries, as a result of surgeries conducted by him. The purpose of this blog is finding former patients who have been disfigured and maimed by “Plastic Surgeon” Dr. Brian R. West.
For many years, Dr. West had a major secret that affected his performance as a surgeon, alcohol abuse. It was discovered that Dr. West was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (see the mug shot picture on the right). In April 2003, he abruptly closed his office and immediately filed for bankruptcy protection. Following the bankruptcy proceedings, a number of patients filed medical complaints with the California Medical Board for personal injuries, as a result of surgery performed by Dr. West. Prior to closing his practice, Dr. West had entered into an Alcohol Diversion Program conducted by the California Medical Board. As a result of entering this program, the public was precluded from any knowledge of his alcoholism. Diversion Program (SEE CLICK HERE)
June 7, 2007 DIVERSION PROGRAM AUDIT - 5TH FAILED AUDIT - Program Does Not Protect the Public (SEE CLICK HERE)
Eventually, Dr. West failed the Diversion Program (See the Administrative Disciplinary Actions by the California Medical Board) http://cbs13.com/local/local_file_066182432 (NOTE: If page does not display, go to the Medical Board's website www.mbc.ca.gov click on Enforcement Public Documents and see on February 26, 2007 6 ACCUSATIONS filed against West by the Attorney General's office, one of which he's accused of lieing to the Medical Board's Lead Investigator, Elizabeth Schlie, about his DUI arrest. He says he was on his way to his office to do paperwork, when in fact he was on his way to treat Becky Anderson in the hospital and was pulled over on a DUI. He wrote a letter to Becky's Oncologist Dr. Kailath and stated he was unable to see Becky because he was in a motor vehicle accident. His motor vehicle accident was the same day he was arrested for DUI and the same day he was going to see Becky. See Becky's story below and See Sacramento Superior Court Records under Criminal file number 00F06988 August 28, 2000. On July 24, 2007 the Attorney General's office filed FIRST AMENDED ACCUSATION.
At some time thereafter, approximately in 2004, Dr. West was given an Administrative desk job at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA. Much to my surprise in the month of July 2006, it was discovered that Dr. West was employed by the Beverly Hills Surgical Institute in Long Beach. Dr. West’s resume located on the Beverly Hills Surgical Institute website (see www.weknowbeauty.com)stated he was a practicing Plastic Surgeon with Travis Air Force Base. In October 2006, Dr. West was paid a visit by Consumer Investigative Reporter, Kurtis Ming, with CBS News and as a result of this, Dr. West’s resume on the Beverly Hills Surgical Institute website was altered. He completely deleted his employment history.
As of September 2007, we were contacted by someone anonymous that West no longer works at the Beverly Hills Surgical Institute. As of July 2008, West is no longer with the Plastic Surgery Institute of California.
November 18, 2005: Kurtis Ming has been conducting an on going investigation into the medical practices of Dr. West since July 2005. Use the links below to watch the videos.
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=2520@kovr.dayport.com
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=2521@kovr.dayport.com
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=2522@kovr.dayport.com
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=13706@kovr.dayport.com
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=13707@kovr.dayport.com
November 9, 2006: Kurtis says more patients came forward and he shows you how to investigate a doctor. Video link
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=13745@kovr.dayport.com
February 26, 2007: Attorney General files formal accusations against Dr. Brian West. (See the Formal Charges) http://cbs13.com/local/local_file_066182322
February 28, 2007: Kurtis's follow up story on the accusations of gross negligence of Dr. Brian West. Video link
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=17836@kovr.dayport.com
June 7, 2007: DIVERSION PROGRAM AUDIT (See Click here).
June 7, 2007: Central Valley Business Times, Auditor: "State is hampered in protecting public from rogue doctor" (Click here CVBT)
June 17, 2007: Arelio Rojas, Reporter with Sacramento Bee, Plastic surgeon seeing patients despite 2 DUIs is called prime example of a flawed system. (Click here SacBee)
June 28, 2007: Medical Board Investigation, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas says "There's a New Sheriff in town." ( Click here CBS13)
June 11, 2007: Oral testimony of Julianne D'Angelo Fellmeth, Administrative Director of the Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL) at the University of San Diego School of Law. CPIL monitors state monitor agencies that regulate business, professions, and trades - including the MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA (MBC)( Click here)
June 13, 2007: Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, "Substance Abuse Program for Doctors Failing to Monitor Participants" ( Click here Sen. Ridley-Thomas)
July 12, 2007: The California Medical Board sent CBS13 News a news release outlining several policy changes to the diversion program. They're taking a zero tolerance approach to doctors in diversion who test positive for alcohol or drugs. ( Click here CBS13)
July 13, 2007: Brian Joseph, Reporter with the Orange County Register, "Program keeps doctors' addictions secret" Former O.C. senator Joe Dunn is leading the California Medical Association, which is fighting to keep the program alive despite critical reviews. ( Click here Orange County Register)
June 19, 2007: California Healthline "State Audit Finds Faults in Physician Diversion Program" ( Click here California Healthline)
July 19, 2007: Brian Joseph, Reporter with the Orange County Register, "Program changes Report prompts adjustments, including immediate suspension of doctors who test positive for drugs or alcohol." ( Click here Orange County Register)
July 20, 2007: Brian Joseph, Reporter with the Orange County Register, "O.C. doctor caught up in diversion program Doctor's lawyer says drug rehab program rules were too harsh while others say he got too many chances." ( Click here Orange County Register)
July 25, 2007: Aurelio Rojas, Reporter with Sacramento Bee, "Medical Board to weigh future of drug, alcohol diversion program for doctors." ( Click here SacBee)
July 26, 2007: Kurtis Ming, "CALIFORNIA MEDICAL BOARD SHUTS DOWN DIVERSION PROGRAM." ( Click here CBS13)
July 26, 2007: Aurelio Rojas, Reporter with Sacramento Bee, "Drug-alcohol help for doctors gets review today." ( Click here SacBee)
July 27, 2007: Aurelio Rojas, Reporter with Sacramento Bee, "Medical Board ends diversion New plan sought for doctors with drug, alcohol problems." ( Click here SacBee)
July 27, 2007: Brian Joseph, Reporter with the Orange County Register, "Medical board votes to kill diversion program Largely secret program channeled doctors with substance abuse into rehab." ( Click here Orange County Register)
July 27, 2007: Associated Press, "State medical board ends treatment program for doctors." ( Click here SF Gate)
July 27, 2007: Julie Sevrens Lyons, Reporter with San Jose Mercury News, "Secret doctor rehab in California to end MEDICAL BOARD FINDS PROGRAM WAS ABUSED." ( Click here Mercury News)
July 27, 2007: The Associated Press, "State medical board ends treatment program for doctors" ( Click here Red Bluff Daily News)
July 27, 2007: Look at what Dr. David Pating, President of CSAM (California Society of Addiction Medicine)and Chair of the Diversion Advisory Committee says "URGENT! Medical Board Votes to Eliminate Diversion Program" ( Click here CSAM)
July 30, 2007: Julie Sevrens Lyons, MEDIA NEWS STAFF with the Oakland Tribune, Medical board votes to ax doctor-rehab system 'The diversion program allows doctors to kill silently' ( Click here Oakland Tribune)
July 31, 2007: Cheryl Clark UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER "Rehab program for doctors set to be canceled by state" ( Click here San Diego Union Tribune)
August 3, 2007: Kurtis Ming "Senator Pushes Bill To Continue Failed Program" ( Click here CBS13)
August 5, 2007: David Hasemyer UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER "State drops aid for addicted doctors" ( Click here San Diego Union Tribune)
August 7, 2007: California Medical Association, "Medical Board Votes to Eliminate Diversion Program" ( Click here CMA)
August 7, 2007: KGO NEWSTALK AM 810 "State Board Ends Diversion for Addicts" ( Click here KGO)
INTERESTING ARTICLE FROM THE WASHINGTON POST BY CHERYL THOMPSON April 10, 2005: "After Stealing Drugs, Doctor Goes to Rehab Anesthesiologist Licensed to Practice in Several States" ( Click here Washington Post)
August 27, 2007: Damon Adams, AMNews staff, "California ends beleaguered program for impaired doctors" The physician diversion program has received bad reviews since first audited in 1982. ( Click here Amercian Medical News)
August 31, 2007: Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas "Physician Substance Abuse Program to be Eliminated" ( Click here Sen. Ridley-Thomas)
THE ADVOCATE, "DOCTORS UNDER THE INFLUENCE," ( Click here The Advocate )
December 18, 2007: By MARCUS WOHLSEN, Associated Press Writer "Programs Let Addicted Docs Practice" ( Click here USA TODAY )
December 19, 2007: Call Kurtis Investigation: Addicted Doctors ( Click Video here CBS13)
December 21, 2007: KFI Los Angeles John and Ken, "Medical Blunders Procedures Gone Awry" ( Click here KFI AM 640)
December 21, 2007: The Mike and Juliette Show, Part 1 "Addicted Doctors Allowed to Practice, Diversion" ( Click here Part 1 ) December 21, 2007: The Mike and Juliette Show, Part 2 "Addicted Doctors Allowed to Practice, Diversion" ( Click here Part 2 )
December 29, 2007: By Daniel Costello, Los Angeles Time, "Lacking lawyers, justice is denied Attorneys often avoid medical malpractice suits because California limits 'pain and suffering' awards to $250,000" ( Click here Los Angeles Times )
December 30, 2007: By Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star, "Survey questions doctors on ethics" ( Click here Ventura County Star )
January 6, 2008: By Tom Kisken, Venturya County Star, "680 of 803 doctors not penalized" ( Click here Ventura County Star )
January 10, 2008: By Daffodil J. Altan, Orange County Weekly, "Many of Dr. Brian West's patients didn't know he was in the state medical board's substance-abuse-diversion program. At least six of them claim they're paying the price." ( Click here Orange County Weekly )
January 17, 2008: By Daffodil J. Altan, Orange County Weekly, "Tucked Up, A Long Beach patient sues Dr. Brian West over a tummy tuck she claims went awry" ( Click here Orange County Weekly )
January 24, 2008: Kurtis Ming CBS13 News DIVERSION SUMMIT ( Click Video here CBS13)
January 24, 2008: By Marcus Wohlsen, Associated Press Writer, "More scrutiny for Calif. doctors facing drug or alcohol discipline" ( Click here SF Examiner )
January 25, 2008: By Brian Joseph, Orange County Register, "Joe Dunn's diversion crusade, The former OC state senator is still trying to save the program, which allows doctors to practice during rehab" ( Click here OC )
January 25, 2008: By Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, "Rehab program for doctors won't survive, The president of the state medical board rejects attempts to keep the confidential program alive" ( Click here LA Times )
January 25, 2008: California Healthline, "Physician Groups Mull Options for Doctors Who Abuse Drugs, Alcohol," ( Click here CA Healthline )
March 31, 2008: CNN Anderson Cooper 360, Randi Kaye "Addicted doctors still treat patients" ( Click here CNN )
March 31, 2008: CNN Anderson Cooper 360, Randi Kaye "Addicted doctors still treat patients" VIDEO FOOTAGE ( Click here CNN )
July 5, 2008: Aurelio Rojas, Reporter with Sacramento Bee, "Troubled doctors drug program shuts down," ( Click here Sacbee )
August 14, 2008: By Daffodil J. Altan, Orange County Weekly, "Troubled Plastic Surgeon Brian West Tries to Get a Restraining Order Against a Former Patient" ( Click here Orange County Weekly )
October 8, 2008: By Daffodil J. Altan, Orange County Weekly, "A Scalpel and 99 Bottles of Beer," ( Click here Orange County Weekly )
February 2, 2009: By Daffodil J. Altan, Orange County Weekly, "Daffodil J. Altan... ARRESTED," ( Click here Orange County Weekly )
February 19, 2009: Kurtis Ming CBS13 News, Medical Board Muzzle Why Won't They Answer Questions On Camera? ( Click Video here CBS13 )
February 20, 2009: By Daffodil J. Altan, Orange County Weekly, Drunk Doctor Gets Bad News -- Sort Of," ( Click here Orange County Weekly )
May 27, 2009: By Daffodil J. Altan, Orange County Weekly, "Boozy Huntington Beach Surgeon's Medical License Revoked," ( Click here Orange County Weekly )
May 28, 2009: Kurtis Ming CBS13 News, "Accused Doctor's License Revoked Dr. Brian West To Lose License," ( Click Video here CBS13 )
May 28, 2009: By Courtney Perkes, Orange County Register, "Plastic surgeon to lose license for lying Dr. Brian West is also accused of reducing a patient's breast size without consent," ( Click here OC )
